Private arrangements (often referred to as a ‘private family arrangement’)

Some children are cared for by a close relative. For example, a grandparent or aunt and uncle. This may be under a private arrangement with the child’s parents. Children’s services may not be involved at all.

Because agreement is reached privately, this is different from kinship care. Because the family have made a private arrangement, children’s services do not have a specific responsibility to provide financial or other support to the family.

However, social workers have been known to ask families if they will care for a child who cannot stay safely at home with their parents and then to describe this is a ‘private arrangement’. This can affect whether the carers get support to raise the child. If this happens it is a good idea to seek independent advice from a solicitor. Or to contact the Family Rights Group advice service.

It is important to note that if a child is being cared for in a private arrangement which is (or which is intended to be), for 28 days or more and the carer:

• Does not have a residence/child arrangements order or special guardianship order.
• Is not a foster carer working for children services, and is not a close relative (i.e. not the child’s grandparent, uncle, aunt, sibling or stepparent), this will be considered to be a ‘private fostering’.